Las Vegas and Vacation Psychology


“What a trip” Las Vegas can be.
My 10 year old son Brandon and I are seen here sharing a couple cool ones (cokes that is) at “The World of Coke” museum in Las Vegas right in the heart of the strip. This is just one place we went on our vacation last week that were “family friendly” places. Las Vegas is a great place for adults: you can drink for free, gamble your nest egg (should you choose!), see great shows, dance, etc. But Las Vegas also offers plenty for kids as well. Our goal was to get into a mental place I call “vacation psychology.” I hope my kids made it there. From the looks of things, they did. I also had at least one event that got me in that zone. SCORE!

This Las Vegas slogan of recent years is kind of funny: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” What do you think that means? I have my ideas. At first it sounds sardonic, mischievous, but I try to keep an open mind and accept everything until proven wrong.

There is a psychology in vacationing that is a “wow” so-to-speak. It takes you away from the daily grind and see something truly marvelous. Now does that have to be secretive? Not in my case. We went to a children’s museum that was ok, buffets that were tasty, and walked the strip to pick up tasty snacks here and there and all that was great. My kids did the “Build-a-Bear Workshop” and we ended up spending a hundred bucks on that. I know that sounds steep, but you should have seen their faces. All people, small or large, need to take care of their brain through vacation psychology.

Vacation psychology for me happened during a Cirque de Soleil type show. The announcer said that a recent “Miss Wyoming” was about to do an interpretation of that new song “Too Late to Apologize,” which I kind of liked already. She came out and did a ballet type routine suspended from two large red ribbons. It was the most amazing set of “human tricks” I have seen in a long long time. The song was moving and the amazing dexterity of this young acrobat was truly inspirational. Whether vacation psychology is better when it’s secretive, I will never know. In my case, I am glad that what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Sometimes it makes it to a blog and other people get to experience it too. (The YouTube video of “Too Late to Apologize” is linked at my online diary.)

6 Comments

  1. Posted August 7, 2008 at 9:26 am | Permalink

    I’ve always wanted to see Cirque De Soleil! Especially after seeing a show on their props, costumes and stage effects…so awesome!! I’d totally take my media pass and try to get backstage.

    It’s awesome that you spend a bundle on your kids too, they’ll really remeber that.

    Katelyns last blog post..Business Techniques #2

  2. Posted August 7, 2008 at 6:36 pm | Permalink

    Thanks Katelyn, great words. Sorry it took me so long to respond, been having a theme war over here … again!

  3. Posted August 7, 2008 at 11:00 pm | Permalink

    I just got back from a business-related trip in Chicago, and I did not enjoy myself the way I have in the past when I have visited in “vacation-psychology”. What a great way to describe what my mom has always called “vacation mode” and thanks for teaching your children how to enjoy it.

    Bobbie Dawns last blog post..Black is the new Beat

  4. Posted August 8, 2008 at 5:55 am | Permalink

    I bet Vegas with the kids is an entirely different experience than just going with adults.

    My kids used to love that Build A Bear workshop a few years back. We would take a day and go to to Navy Pier, enjoy the sights, etc and head to the Build A Bear in there. It really was one of the best “staycations” around here!

    I have never seen Cirque de soleil, but I have seen performers like the one you speak about in person. It’s breathtaking and I can only image how the Cirque shows themselves are.

    Sounds like you guys had a great time! I’m glad!

    Jessica The Rock Chis last blog post..Smile For The Camera (Thursday Thirteen #41)

  5. Posted August 8, 2008 at 6:17 am | Permalink

    Thank you. Yes, those “business-related” things are not always vacation-psychology filled ;)

  6. Posted August 8, 2008 at 6:18 am | Permalink

    The Build-a-Bear place is definitely cool. I love your term: “Staycation,” brilliant!

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